The Man In The Brown, Rumpled Suit At The Biltmore Estate

romanticasheville.com

As they walked toward the Biltmore Estate, they both knew that this would be a great day.  The weather was picture perfect and their early June trip would miss the hectic summer crowd.  She was already taking pictures as they walked the long promenade toward the entrance.  The navigator was glowing with anticipation of seeing inside the beautiful mansion.  Opening the large entry doors, they paraded in with a throng of others making their way to the ticket
counter.  As they approached the counter, a rather large man in a brown, rumpled suit walked between them  placing his arms around their waists and said, "Come with me".  

The large man moved them rather quickly not giving them an opportunity to protest the action.  A door opened and they were whisked inside.  It was clear to them that this was the Security Office as there were banks of monitors watching over the crowds enjoying their tour of the Biltmore.  The navigator spoke first, "What's the problem?", she asked.  The large man in the brown, rumpled suit only motioned for them to take a seat.  Clearing his voice, he said, "We have a problem". 
"Alright, what can we do for you?, he asked of the large man in the brown rumpled suit."  "Wait a minute, can we see some identification?", asked the navigator." 

The man in the brown, rumpled suit pulled out his Biltmore Estate security badge and handed it to the navigator.  "Okay, Mr. Hunter, what is the problem?"  He could tell that his girl was now getting annoyed and a little alarmed. 

"I happened to be sitting near you at breakfast this morning, had my back to you so you probably didn't notice me.  You had a pumpernickel bagel and he had a sesame seed bagel."  They had stopped at a little bagel place for a quick bite to eat before entering the grounds. 

"I couldn't help but overhear your conversation.  It wasn't that you were loud but your conversation fascinated me because of a problem we have here."  Both he and the navigator were trying to remember what they talked about over breakfast.  "Please, don't be alarmed, you're not in any trouble.  I just think you can help us with a problem we have, given your background and experience."

"Wait a minute, what background and experience are you talking about.  How do you know anything about us?", he asked. 
"Once again, I apologize for listening in but if I heard it right, you are a former youth worker and she's a drug counselor", said the man in the brown rumpled suit.  "I was impressed with how you both talked about kids.  I could tell you were good people."

The navigator looked at the man in the brown, rumpled suit and asked, "Okay, why do you need our help?" 

"We have a young girl, about 15, she's been hiding in the mansion.  We see her moving around but she is fairly resourceful and alludes us at every turn.  We know where's she at but we're just a little concerned for her." 

"What about the police?" he asked.  "We did have the police out earlier in the week and she was removed from the property but she has continued to make her way back", the man in the brown, rumpled suit said.  "What I am thinking is you two could talk to her and see if you couldn't get her to go home to her family." 

"I really don't know what we could do", he said.  "I'll talk to her", said the navigator.  He shrugged his shoulders knowing that she couldn't refuse such a request.  The man in the brown rumpled suit smiled, rubbed his hands together and said, "I really appreciate this, I really, really do". 

"I'll take you to where she's hiding."  The three of them walked down a long corridor, then went up a spiral-type staircase to what looked like a small half closet.  "She's in there", said the man in the brown rumpled suit.  "Do you happen to know her name?", asked the navigator.  "Her name is Bonnie, Bonnie Hunter." 

The navigator crouched down and sat on the last landing of the staircase.  "Bonnie, good morning.  My name is Katie.  With me is Jimmy, my boyfriend."  No response.  "We came down from the beach today to see the Mansion." 

"What beach?", a meek voice replied.  "Bonnie, we're from Myrtle Beach.  Have you ever been there?"  The man in the brown, rumpled suit was nodding his head.  Jimmy knew that Katie had her now.  It was just a matter of time before she opened the door and emerged.  Jimmy was also pretty sure that this young girl was somehow connected to the man in the brown, rumpled suit.  Same last name.  He acknowledged with his head bow that the girl had been to Myrtle Beach.

Moments later, Bonnie opened the little half door and appeared.  "Good morning young lady", Katie responded.  "How about we get you cleaned up, get something to eat and you can give Jimmy and I a personal tour of the Mansion." 

Touring the facility with Bonnie was like having your own personal tour guide.  She was the granddaughter of the large man in the brown, rumpled suit and grew up knowing all the nooks and crannies of the Biltmore Estate.  Her tour took them on one the public would never see.  As they walked, Katie and Bonnie talked and talked and talked.  Mostly about stuff. 

At the end of a long, exciting day, the man in the brown, rumpled suit came over to them and said that Bonnie was with her grandmother now and doing well.  "I can't thank you good folks enough", he said with tears welling up in his eyes.  We just don't know what to do sometimes. She's such a good kid and we love her so much."

Katie responded, "you're doing just fine.  Bonnie just misses her Mom and Dad.  You will all be fine."  As they walked through the entrance doors to leave, Katie was exhausted from her day.  Jimmy knew it would be straight to sleep upon their return to the hotel.  Oh well, he thought, there's always tomorrow.